CP

Hi,

I've heard the term Italian tune-up many times. I vaguely interpret it to mean running high revs before shifting. Then I read another post about running in high revs for say 30 minutes to blow out the carbon deposits. I drove my RUF 40 miles freeway in 3rd gear today, ranging between 4k to 5.2k RPM along the way. Besides the incredible song, the engine seems to purr much more happily after I got home.

I'd normally cruise in 6th. So is Italian tune-up shifting close to red line, or driving significant distance with high revs, or both?

Thanks for the education.

CP

chris walrod

Congrats, you just completed just that, an Italian tune-up

Yes, its just a long session of blowing out the cobb webs, so to speak..

Arrwin

What's considered a "long session"? 30 min.? 15? Will cruising 5 min. at 6k rpms do it??

chris walrod

I personally dont feel steady state high RPM the best way, more so going through the gears WFOT several times. This to build some heat and shake carbon loose etc. 4 or 5 20 minute session on-track should do it

Arrwin

Good to know. While we are on the acronyms...I can not for the life of me figure out what WOT and now WFOT stands for??

chris walrod

wide open throttle and wide freakin open throttle... I think there is a difference

FGL28

One should add that it is a good idea to warm the car up before doing an Italian tune up. Also some expresso before helps as having a very attractive young lady in the passenger seat.

Ray Calvo

Simplistically - get on a back road and drive the living Bejessus out of the car. Way I do it - and I'm half Sicilian descent!

Edward

The term "Italian Tune up" originated from the Weber-fed (that's carbs) engines that were, more often than not, poorly set up, neglected over time, or just dodlled around town at low RPMs. Carbon deposits were inevitable. So a spirited romp through the hills and country roads helped blow out said accumulated carbon --or prevented it in the first place if driven such from the beginning. I know my Alfa did seem to drive better after Track weekends or aforementioned romp through local canyons. With modern EFI, DME, alphabet-soup-controlled cars, however, this has become less of a necessity --technically. Having said that, I "swear" even my 993 felt better/smoother after an event. Perhaps there's still something to it, or just that *we* feel better after having played such music at the behest of our right foot. Who knows. One fact is certain: it's fun! Moreover, it's good preventative maintenance against carbon buildup (after having warmed up as stated eariler) ...and psycho-stress buildup, too. So rev at you pleasure; it'll do you both good!

Edward

gordo993

CP wrote:
I'd normally cruise in 6th. So is Italian tune-up shifting close to red line, or driving significant distance with high revs, or both?

How fast are you goung in 6th gear? Did RUF change the gearing? My 6th gear is waaaaay too tall for cruising speeds - I don't shift into 6th until over 100mph!

Just curious!

TomF

Our cars have six gears? Who knew? LOL. Actually, I rarely have the opportunity to get into sixth gear...maybe time for a roadtrip.

Edward

Actually, I use 6th all the time on my fwy commute. While you obviously don't want to lug it at 1500RPMs, buzzing (a modern) engine like ours at elevated RPMs when cruising does little to clear or prevent carbon buildup. Engine management systems are soooo clean these days, you are doing little more than wearing engine parts. At cruise, the car is perfectly happy at about 2500-3K RPMs, given that this is a steady cruise and not taxing the engine (like climbing a grade). As Chris said, the beneficial aspect of said "Italian Tuneup" is from the increased combustion pressure/heat from WOT at high RPMs ...crusing doesn't do it. Which is why from a stop, I personally tach to about 5K in 1st and 2nd ...and of course, fwy onramps are a joy

Edward

CP

I cruise in 6th at anything above 60 MPH. It's really low RPM. RUF installed his transmission in my car and has taller 5th and 6th gears for higher top speed (196 MPH per PO).

In 6th, I'd be at 2,800 RPM at 80 MPH. That's pretty low on the torque curve. Luckily the RUF has 436 ft. # of torque so I can hustle real well in 6th. The first time I drove a 993, I was in Pin's 96C4S, and 6th was kinda low on torque (I was accustomed to the M5 at that time). The massive power/torque of the RUF does make me a lazy driver as I do not need to down-shift much to accelerate.

CP

epj993

Just completed by Italian tuneup. I love maintaining this car!

MrRoboto

I did as well, and my car idles significantly better...go figure.